Cancun a no-can-do for John Duddy

Derry middleweight John Duddy (27-1, 17 KOs) will not be heading to Cancun in Mexico on December 19 to fight, managerial advisor Craig Hamilton confirmed to IrishCentral's sister publication the Irish Voice on Monday.

According to boxrec.com, the Derry Destroyer will fight in a 10 round contest at Madison Square Garden on January 23 on the undercard of the Top Rank-promoted WBA World featherweight title fight between Yourkis Gamboa and Rogers Mtagwa. However, the date is by no means a done deal.

“There is nothing definite in that,” Hamilton said. “There are a few possibilities that I am not willing to discuss at this point, but things could be clearer in the next week to 10 days.”

However, Hamilton said that January 23 is the earliest the 30-year-old would fight next, and that if he did enter the squared circle for combat on that date, Julio Cesar Chavez Junior would not be the man looking at him from the other corner.

It was long thought that Duddy and Chavez would appear in separate fights in Cancun before meeting each other in early 2010, but the timing seems to have changed somewhat.

When asked what kind of caliber opponent Duddy might face in January, Hamilton said it would be one that would keep him “ready.”

Duddy has been in the gym doing non-contact work with trainer Harry Keitt since his October 10 victory over Michi Munoz by unanimous decision at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Hamilton went on to say that Duddy is in good spirits and looking forward to his next assignment, and he is likely to remain in New York over Christmas as he gets ready for his next fight.

When asked if he would consider a fight in Ireland, Hamilton said he would consider “anything, anywhere.” He went on to say that if Duddy did not fight in January, then March would be the most likely time the popular Irishman would next be in action.

In other news, Maureen Shea’s opponent for her tilt at the interim WBA super bantamweight title has been confirmed. Facing the “Real Million Dollar Baby” (13-3) on December 3 at the Manhattan Center will be Florida’s Jenna Shriver (9-4-1).

After being dominated and stopped in her last two fights, Shea felt she needed a change and went to Hackensack in New Jersey to train with Tommy Brooks.

“I wanted a fresh start. I am grateful that I am working with such a well-respected trainer. I also have Aroz ‘Terrific’ Gist, in my corner now, who some might recognize from his work with Kendall Holt. Neither one has worked with a female before, and we are having a great time in the gym,” said Shea in her latest newsletter.

Another fundamental change was the decision to move from 126 pounds down to 122 pounds. “I have always known that I could get down to 122 pounds My nutritionist and conditioning coach Robert Ferguson have been waiting patiently for this day. It was always our plan, now it is time.”

Shea’s opponent is a 24-year-old from Tampa, Florida who was last in action on May 8 when she beat Lucia Larcinese by unanimous decision.

For tickets to see Shea fight for the interim WBA world title on December 3 at the Manhattan Center, call 718-792-7777.